Friday, March 26, 2010

Description: Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies-or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer-and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

My Thoughts: I found this to be a very enjoyable read. I thought Violet was an interesting and realistic character. I could completely understand her confusion as her feelings for her best friend are changing from buddies to boyfriend-girlfriend. Jay Heaton is a great character too. He is protective, someone she can always talk to, and he knows her secret. It is also fun to see that he has become a hunk and is attracting all the most popular girls at school. He seems to Violet to almost be oblivious to his new popularity. But we see later that he is aware but just doesn't care because he really cares for Violet. Violet's ability is well-described. Being able to feel the echoes left behind by things that die and seeing the imprint on the predators is an ability that I hadn't ever considered and is a new paranormal ability to me. It was interesting to also have sections from the predators point of view. The predator in the story was a bit of an unexpected twist.

I think this book will appeal to both fans of romance and fans of mystery/suspense types of books. I expect it to do well in the HS Media Center. I just have one question -- Can someone explain the book cover to me? While pretty, I just don't see what it has to do with the story.

The body finder has been on my wish list for awhile! Maybe the easter bunny will deliver a copy?? Found your blog on the hop. Hop on over to mine and check out my cool giveawy http://mugofmoxie.blogspot.com

I am a school library/media specialist for a small school district in Southeast Minnesota.
I love reading adult, YA and Middle Grade paranormals, science fiction/fantasy, and mysteries. I am also a fan of adult romances and romantic suspense. I just love reading!
I maintain two book blogs. Ms. Martin Teaches Media is used to blather about the YA books I read. Inside of a Dog is my home for the adult books I read.

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Beginning January 1, 2012, I will no longer be accepting self-published books for review.

If I accept your book, I will agree to read, review, and post the review prior to the book's publication date only if I receive the book a minimum of 21 days before the book is published. Books arriving later than that will be reviewed as they fit into my review schedule.